Medusa brings Oktoberfest to Hudson

HUDSON – Medusa Brewing Company celebrated a little German culture on Saturday as it hosted its first Oktoberfest at its Main Street brewery.

The all-day celebration featured a draft list heavy in German-style beers, German food and live music.

“We wanted to do it last year, but we wanted to wait until we were well-placed to do it right,” said Medusa Brewing co-owner Keith Sullivan. “We wanted to blow it up right. It’s one of the biggest beer events in the world each year and we wanted to do it the right way.”

Oktoberfest began as a wedding celebration when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese in Bavaria in 1810. Each year, Oktoberfest is celebrated for 16 days in Munich, Germany.

Medusa brewed two special beers for the event – Simon and Hecubus. Sullivan said Simon is a traditional festbier brewed in the style of the beers served in the festival tents in Munich. It’s drier than many of the American version of styles, crisper with a little toastiness.

Hecubus, he said, is more along the lines of the American interpretation of a style, sweeter and a little fruity.

Along with the beer, the Depot Street Tavern in Milford was on hand to provide a menu of German-inspired fare.

The event drew a large crowd, with a line going out the door in the early afternoon. But for those who made it in, it was worth it.

“I love Medusa and I’m here all of the time, so I couldn’t miss its (Oktoberfest),” said Adam Gojanovich of Marlborough.

Gojanovich said he was a fan of the Simon.

“I had it in a full (one-liter) stein and I tried and I drank the full stein,” he said. “I really liked it. I’m not usually a fan of festbiers, but I really liked this one.”

Lisa Oakes of Westborough said once she heard Medusa was hosting Oktoberfest, she knew she had to come.

“I’m a Medusa fan and I’m a fan of Oktoberfests,” she said.

Ben Snyder of Boxborough said he really enjoyed Simon, which wasn’t a surprise.

Sullivan said the brewery hopes the Medusa Oktoberfest grows into a yearly event.

“It’s a good community event,” said Sullivan. “It’s a good event with good people, good beer, good food and having a good time.”

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For beer news and info, follow Norman Miller on Twitter and Instagram @RealBeerNut and on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerBeerNut.